Giovanni Auditore da Firenze

Giovanni Auditore da Firenze (3 May 1436-29 December 1476) was a Florentine noble, banker, adviser, and a member of the Assassins Order.

Biography
Auditore was one of the pivotal figures in 15th century Florentine banking. In charge of overseeing the Medici bank branches across Italy, he kept the Medici machine running while Lorenzo de Medici was busy with the government. Extending his reach out into the international operation, it was Giovanni who first noticed the problems with the Lyon bank, causing him to alert Francesco Sassetti, which saved the branch.

Such great talent was well rewarded by Il Magnifico. Giovanni developed a close friendship with Lorenzo de Medici, becoming one of his closest advisors. Successful negotiations to secure the Pope's support of the Medici bank in 1471 were carried out by Giovanni. Relieved and grateful, Lorenzo paid for Giovanni's palazzo, as a gift.

Death
In 1476, when Francesco de Pazzi was put in jail for murder, he developed a rivalry with the Pazzis. One night, he was thrown in jail by armed guards sent by Gonfaloniere Uberto Alberti, who had betrayed him because he was a member of the Hashshashin; Alberti was secretly a member of the Knights Templar. He was sentenced to death with his sons Federico and Petruccio, and hung by the neck until dead.